Stricken fashion chain Peacocks collapsed owing Cancer Research UK almost a third of a million pounds, Wales on Sunday can reveal.

Stricken fashion chain Peacocks collapsed owing Cancer Research UK almost a third of a million pounds, Wales on Sunday can reveal.

In a report to creditors this week, administrators KPMG said the figure was £222,576.

But it has since emerged the actual figure owed to the charity is £268,180 plus VAT – bringing the total to £321,816.

That is made up of:

*£248,378.40 from Race for Life merchandise sold last year;

*£46,262.40 from the sale of a sponsored clothing range in 2011 and;

*workers’ donations of £12,667.20 and £14,508.

The charity is likely to get back less than 1p for every £1 they are owed by the Welsh company.

A spokeswoman for administrators KPMG, which has so far run up fees of £5.4m, said: “KPMG has contacted Cancer Research and informed them that their invoices to date have been received and they have been registered as unsecured creditors.

“Unfortunately due to the severe indebtedness of the company, which was [more than] £700m, the administrators estimate that the return to unsecured creditors will be 0.68p for every £1.

“In an administration the priority in which creditors are paid is legally set by the Insolvency Act and there is no flexibility for the administrators to consider one unsecured creditor above another.”

Despite its problems the Cardiff-based fashion firm generated profits of £7m while it was in administration between January 19 and February 22.

Cancer Research UK’s partnerships director said: “Since 2005, Peacocks has raised more than £2m to help us beat cancer.

“We are currently working with Peacocks’ administrators to do our best to ensure we receive any money still owed to us.”

Peacocks had raised cash for the charity since 2005 and last year pop star turned designer Pearl Lowe launched an £18 t-shirt with the store.

A 15% cut of profits from sales of that was supposed to go to Cancer Research UK.

But Lowe’s agent Carole Hayes said: “You’ll have to speak to Peacocks. We are in litigation with them at the moment.”

At the time Lowe – a pal of Kate Moss and former singer with ‘90s indie band Powder – claimed it was “an honour” to raise money for Cancer Research UK with Peacocks.

Her daughter Daisy – the ex-girlfriend of Doctor Who star Matt Smith – modelled the top for the chain.